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Inspiration

 

 

 

DEGREE EARNED: 

 

WHAT I STUDIED:

Ph.D. in EducationPauline Clifford with classmates

 

I investigated the computer access, computer self-efficacy, and computer anxiety of African American, Hispanic American, and Caucasian community college students in the state of Connecticut, to see if there were differences that crossed race/ethnicity, age, and/or gender lines.

HOW IT AFFECTED MY WORK:  My program was in sync with what I do on a daily basis for my job (I’m the educational technology director at a community college), so I could take what I read and/or wrote about and relate it to what I do every day.
HOW I PAID FOR IT:  Entirely with student loans
HOW LONG IT TOOK: Four and a half years
WHEN I STUDIED:  At first, I tried studying a couple of hours every night on the weekdays, but eventually discovered that I need long stretches of focused concentration to generate anything worth reading. I ended up studying all day Saturday and Sunday—starting at 7 or 8 a.m. and sometimes not finishing until 11 p.m. or later.
WHERE I STUDIED:  I studied primarily at home. To break things up, I would go to the Borders bookstore café in my town on Saturday nights, with my teenage daughter in tow. She would read while I would study.
BEST STUDY AID:  At a Walden residency, I noticed that my cohorts and I were able to focus on our goals when we talked amongst ourselves. I wanted that synergy to continue, so I formed an “Eyes on the Prize” Yahoo! Group. I asked them to check in once a week to report their progress (or lack thereof). In March of 2007 alone we exchanged 206 messages. We were able to ask each other questions that we didn’t necessarily feel comfortable asking our committees. Four of us were experiencing the same pain, frustration, and joy at the same time, so it made the experience that much more meaningful.
BEST THING MY FAMILY/FRIENDS DID TO HELP ME:  My daughters gave me the space and the time to do what I needed to do. During the last year of my program, they consistently cooked dinner!
LOWEST POINT:  I lost my father to congestive heart failure when I was writing a KAM. I sat at my computer trying to finish a literature review with tears streaming down my face.
HIGHEST POINT:  When I defended my dissertation and my chair said, “Congratulations, Dr. Clifford.”
WHAT'S NEXT:  Once I catch my breath, I want to make this Ph.D. work for my college, my community, and me.


 

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